Talking about controversial things without losing your soul
For a polarized culture, a guest post from theologian Fellipe do Vale
Gentle reader,
If you haven’t yet met, it’s my privilege to introduce you to Fellipe do Vale, who teaches theology at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School. Fellipe is a careful, thoughtful, charitable theologian, and I was so pleased when he agreed to share this guest post, which speaks to just those qualities.
In our world of polarized, niche-marketed, us vs. them, cancel culture chaos, there may be little that matters more than the ability to pay loving attention to those with whom we disagree.
By Fellipe do Vale, PhD.
It is often said that if you want to stir up trouble, you should talk about money, politics, or sports. Now, I teach Christian ethics, so I am in the awkward position of talking about 2 out of 3 of those topics (I haven’t gotten to sports yet), along with a surfeit of other controversial topics, like gender, race, disability, war, guns, immigration, and more. If money, politics, and sports are ingredients for a troublesome recipe, one might say I am adding too many spices to an already busy dish! So, early on in my learning, teaching, and writing, I had to think through some guidelines for myself and my students about how best to reflect our Lord Jesus in our conversations about such matters. I begin with a quote from a letter from John Newton,[1] famous for writing “Amazing Grace” and for repenting of his participation in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. What follows are parameters and virtues to which I think all Christians should aspire, so that we may be known for our love. (And, if you think of ones I’ve missed, please let me know!)
“As to your opponents, I wish that before you set pen to paper against them, and during the whole time you are preparing your answer, you may commend them by earnest prayer to the Lord’s teaching and blessing. This practice will have a direct tendency to conciliate your heart to love and pity them; and such a disposition will have a good influence upon every page you write. If you account them a believer, though greatly mistaken in the subject of debate between you, the words of David to Joab concerning Absalom, are very applicable: “Deal gently with him for my sake.” The Lord loves them and bears with them; therefore you must not despise him, or treat them harshly. The Lord bears with you likewise, and expects that you should show tenderness to others, from a sense of the much forgiveness you need yourself. In a little while you will meet in heaven; they will then be dearer to you than the nearest friend you have upon earth is to you now. Anticipate that period in your thoughts; and though you may find it necessary to oppose their errors, view them personally as a kindred soul, with whom you are to be happy in Christ forever…If our zeal is embittered by expressions of anger, invective, or scorn, we may think we are doing service of the cause of truth, when in reality we shall only bring it into discredit…There is a principle of self, which disposes us to despise those who differ from us; and we are often under its influence, when we think we are only showing a becoming zeal in the cause of God… If you can be content with showing your wit, and gaining the laugh on your side, you have an easy task; but I hope you have a far nobler aim, and that, sensible of the solemn importance of gospel truths, and the compassion due to the souls of people.”
– John Newton, “On Controversy” (18th Century)
American Collectors (Fred and Marcia Weisman), 1968, David Hockney, via the Art Institute of Chicago
Characteristics of Charitable Theological Exchange
1. The Principle of Charity: Charitable interpretations will attempt to understand a view in its strongest form, as if the ideas under consideration are internally consistent and carry a high possibility of being true. If there seem to be contradictions or inconsistencies, attempts are made to resolve them, favoring the interpretation that maximizes plausibility and sense. In one’s writing, that might require an ability to articulate a position with which one disagrees in a way that improves its original presentation. Assume the same level of intelligence with which you would like to be interpreted, thereby acting by Christ’s rule: “In everything do to others as you would have them do to you” (Matt. 7:12). Only when the above efforts are made can one proceed to critique.
2. Immanent criticism: When turning to critique, initially object to a position while making recourse only to premises which the holder of that position shares, which he or she also assumes or which he or she finds relevant. While external considerations can be brought in, they will come after immanent criticism. That means availing oneself first of resources found relevant from the point of view of the author or person speaking, and engaging the coherence and soundness of his or her argument with reasons he or she already perceives as germane.
3. Resist Characterizations, Generalizations and Slogans: Avoid hasty categorizations and focus instead on the concrete claims being made by the author you are engaging or person who is speaking and evaluate their truth or falsehood slowly and patiently. Don’t engage what it sounds like they said or wrote; engage what they in point of fact said or wrote.
4. Healthy Curiosity Over Judgmental Bias: Rather than approaching an author or speaker with ready-made associations made on the basis of what he or she represents (i.e., feminist, critical theorist, essentialist, fundamentalist, evangelical, Reformed, etc.), seek to suspend judgments about the quality of their work and cultivate a curiosity about the discussion they are bringing to the table. Ask good-faith questions of them out of an earnest desire to learn, and avoid requests for proof, evidence or elaboration that are not constructive (also known as “sea-lioning”).
5. Read/Listen in Search of Benefit: There are few, if any, books that are completely false or people that are entirely wrong. (Imagine going about a day where you told only lies; that would be remarkably difficult.) As you read or engage a position, do so in an effort to find as much agreement or benefit as possible, even if that only comes in the form of a new way to phrase an issue or a new question previously unasked.
6. Pray: Pray for those with whom you disagree, both with regard to the issue at hand and for their general well-being.
Statue of Faust, via Wikimedia Commons
7. Cultivate Epistemic Humility: Always keep in mind that your positions are corrigible and under development, that we have not yet “come to the unity of the faith and of the knowledge of the Son of God, to maturity, to measure of the full stature of Christ” (Eph. 4:13). Always be open to the possibility that you may be wrong.
8. Some Helpful Phrases: In conversation, cultivate an ability to say things like: “Thanks for correcting me, I didn’t realize that”; “I hadn’t thought of it like that, I understand now”; “I was wrong about that, and I’ve changed my mind”; “I should do some more research before I argue this point or provide an answer.” In reading, display the same attitude reflected by these statements.
9. Keep the Personal and Relational in Mind: With issues of particular controversy within the church (gender, race, disability, politics, etc.), the line between what is theoretical and what is personally impacting is not hard and fast. These issues always carry an element of personal relevance, for all of us are associated with these identities in some way or other. Care deeply about the concepts, but also care deeply about the people they represent.
Why bother with these parameters? Don’t they preclude the real work of Christians in a period of history that seems especially confused and misguided? Don’t we need louder voices and stronger fighters? I don’t think so. What will bring Christ’s presence to this world are Christians whose gentleness is “evident to all” (Phil. 4:5) and who do their work in an effort to love one’s enemy (Matt. 5:43–48).
Don’t miss Fellipe’s new book, Gender as Love: A Theological Account of Human Identity, Embodied Desire, and Our Social Worlds.
Thanks to Fellipe for sharing his wisdom with us!
Grace & peace,
BFJ
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Thanks so much for sharing this post. So very helpful!
This is very helpful, and very challenging.